Jack tries to get back on track with European release

Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 01:49

After a disappointing US box office, Jack the Giant Slayer tries to captivate audiences in Europe. Rollo Ross Reports

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Jack the Giant Slayer might be about beating up oversized ogres but it failed to smash the box office when it was released in the US. But now Jack and his beanstalk are going back to their roots in Europe to see if they can find gold.
The fairytale adaptation is the brainchild of Bryan Singer and has Nicholas Hoult in his first lead role in a Hollywood blockbuster.
SOUNDBITE: Director, Bryan Singer, saying (English):
"I saw tonnes of guys, tonnes of guys and in the end I put Nick up and said look, he's the best. He's got charisma, he's got charm, he's funny, and I think he'll be the right Jack."
SOUNDBITE: Actor, Stanley Tucci, saying (English):
"He's a very committed professional young actor and he has an ease with it I never had at his age."
SOUNDBITE: Actor, Ewan McGregor, saying (English):
"He's really good, really good."
Hoult's leading lady and convenient damsel in distress is Eleanor Tomlinson. The pair had to audition together to see if they had any romantic chemistry.
SOUNDBITE: Actress, Eleanor Tomlinson, saying (English):
"Oh we did. It was hilarious."
SOUNDBITE: Actor, Nicholas Hoult, saying (English):
"It was excruciating."
SOUNDBITE: Actress, Eleanor Tomlinson, saying (English):
"It really was. No, it was funny because Nick has obviously done this a lot. He was very laid back. I went straight in and I'd just got off the tube in London so I was all frazzled and I was so stressed out, and you were so chilled out. I was like 'he's such a weird boy, he's so unfussed' and there was me pulling my hair out."
The movie cost $200 million US dollars to make, and so far after release in North America and Asia it's made only $46 million US dollars back, according to boxofficemojo.com. Perhaps European audiences will help Jack make a giant killing this time around.

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